Combination folding picnic and game table and carrying case for folding chairs and other appliances



Mamh 395% M. K. BOYAJEAN 57,3 COMBINATION FOLDING PICNIC AND GAME TABLE AND CARRYING CASE FOR FOLDING CHAIRS AND OTHER APPLIANCES Filed June 29, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 1, 1%8 M. K. EOYAJiAN 29 K COMBINATION FOLDING PICNIC AND GAME TABLE AND CARRYING CASE FOR FOLDING CHAIRS AND OTHER APPLIANCES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 29, 1955 Mam}? 1.95 M. K. BOYAJIAN 2 2%3Z COMBINATION FOLDING PICNIC AND GAME TABLE AND CARRYING CASE FOR FOLDING cmuns AND OTHER APPLIANCES Filed June 29, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent COMBINATION FOLDING PICNIC AND GAME TABLE AND CARRYING CASE FOR FOLDING CHABZS AND OTHER APPLIANCES Misak K. Boyajian, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application June 29, 1955, Serial No. 518,771

4 Claims. (Cl. 311-90) My invention relates to new and useful improvements in a combination folding picnic and game table and carrying case for folding chairs and other appliances and has for one of its objects to provide a reversible table top which is supported by the same legs in either position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a table top, preferably consisting of two hinged box-like sections, having sockets opening on both or opposite faces of said table top whereby legs may be selectively entered into either end of the sockets for supporting the table top with either face uppermost.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel, self-contained folding table unit which, when closed resembles a suitcase in external appearance and is adapted to hold folding chairs, game apparatus, food, tableware, detachable legs and/ or other appliances, and which, when open, can be mounted with either face uppermost on the legs to be utilized for playing games or as a support for dishes, food and the like.

Another object of the present invention is to fit the interiors of the box-like sections of the table top with means to hold game pieces and apparatus, other means to retain the detached legs in certain positions, and additional means to define game field areas, said last means being foldable or retractible to provide unobstructed space for foldable chairs or other relatively wide articles.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for locking the table top in an open position to prevent it from collapsing especially while the open face thereof is uppermost.

A further object of this invention is to provide means for reinforcing the joints between the table top sections when in either the open or closed positions and to utilize portions of the reinforcing means which strengthen the joint at the hinged side of table top sections, when open, as feet for resulting carrying case when the table top is in closed condition.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novel construction of swinging or pivoted game field side boards or partitions and box elements which retain said side boards or partitions in place after the box elements are mounted in position.

With the above and other objects in view, which will become apparent from the following description, this invention consists of the details of construction and combination of elements hereinafter set forth and then designated by the claims.

In order that those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains may understand how to make and use the same I will describe its construction in detail referring by numerals to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the table when knocked down and closed for use as a carrying case.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device in open condition and looking into the open side thereof showing the stored legs and chairs.

- 25 projected through the socket midway its ends and into- "'iee Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the device set up in one form of table with chairs disposed thereabout.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view on the line 44 of Fig. 2 showing the means for holding the stored legs in place.

' Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the table by itself set up with the closed side uppermost.

Fig. 6 is a similar view with table top reversed or inverted showing the open side uppermost.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partly in elevation and partly in section illustrating details of construction of one end of one of the side boards or partitions and the method of connection to its respective table top section prior to assembly of the associated box elements.

Fig. 8 also is a fragmentary perspective view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of the side board in Fig. 7 looking at the inside of one table top section with the associated box or receptacle assembled and its lid partly open and showing the two positions of the side board. 7

Fig. 9 is a section on the line 99 of Fig. 7 with one element of the box orreceptacle in place.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail section of one of the leg sockets and contiguous portions of a table top section on the line 1G10 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary longitudinal section of a modified form of leg socket showing how it can be closed midway its ends. v

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the folded device lying on one side to show the means constituting feet and reinforcing elements.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view on the line 1313 of Fig. 12 with the table top sections open to' illustrate the manner of operation of the reinforcing means.

In carrying out the invention as herein embodied 15 represents the table top unit consisting of two similar box-like sections 16 and 17 appropriately hinged together, as will presently be described, whereby said sections may be closed to form a carrying case having an exterior appearance resembling a suitcase.

' Each table top section includes a panel 18, end walls 19 and side walls 20. The end and side Walls project from the inner or reverse face of their associated panel leaving the outer or obverse face substantially smooth and clear of all protuberances as seen in Figs. 3 and 5.

he two sections are hinged together at 21 along the edges of contiguous side walls whereby the panels will lie in the same plane when the device is open and similar side and end walls will align with one another when the device is closed.

In each of the two outer corners of each table top section, which constitute the four outer corners of the completely open table top unit, but within the inner angle or inside of the section, is provided an appropriate socket 22 which, for purposes of illustration is shown as comprised of a metal tube open at both ends and so mounted that one end terminates at the edges of adjoining end and side walls 19, 20, respectively, Fig. 10, and the other or opposite end projects through a hole 23 in the panel and said other end terminates substantially flush with obverse face of the panel. Each socket, when formed as above described, has a pair of ears 24 at one end positioned at right angles to each other and disposed over the edges of adjoining end and side walls, see also Figs. 2 and 6, and through which fastening devices, such as screws or nails, are projected into said end and side walls for partially securing a socket in place. The positioning of one end of the socket in the hole 23 also assists in securing the socket and it may be further held by a screw a wall: of the table top. This screw functions, particularly, as a stop for a leg 26, there being four such legs, when inserted in either end of the socket.

enemas 'When the legs are inserted-in the socket ends 'having 7 the ears 24-the obverse-face of the tabletop is. uppermost,

Fig, 5, but when inserted in-the socket ends terminating be level in either position, In lieu of the screw 25, a

partition 27, Fig. 11, may be -used as the stop and such partition prevents entrance or dust or other foreign matter nto e e h d sed- 1 I a he l ss re perarilv 'f ten n pl y pp op ate a n n an suchr 't u b crew zs'io each side of the stop 25;, 27 having threaded engagement with a wall of each socket and projecting into theinterior thereof for cont-actjwith a leg-in either end of'therespe'ces cke sq e i g When the; table top is in an open position as depicted in Figs. 5 and 6 the table top sections 16 and 17 aretemporarily loeked'inplace byslide bolts 28 on the outer surfaces of the end walls of one section and cooperating with keepers 29 on the outer surfaces of the end walls'of the other section. Actually-theslide-bolts can be mounted on either andthe samje tabletop section with the keepers on the cornpanion section or the opposite end bolts can .be mounted on different sections and the keepers are opposed inner side walls of both of said companion table top sections. When the table top sections are closed as shown; infFig. -l 2;s aid pegs or dowels 30-function as feet for the elosed'case when resting upon a supporting surface. Further the table top sections are reinforced, when,

closed, byother pegs or'dowels 32 on the meeting edge I of anfouter'si'de wall of 2'SeCtiODyFigS. 2 and 6, for entrance into holes 33; in'the meeting edge of the outer side' wall of the other section;

The said-tabletopseetions are temporarily retained in the closed condition by appropriate latches 34 on the outer surfa a i ute d al of on s on f r c op r tion witha keeper 35 on t-he outer surface of the outer side wall of theother section, In; order to conveniently car yhe. closed Qa e' si g eh ndl 36 is ast ne to the outer surface of the outer-sidewall ofone table top section only in close proximity to the edge of said outer side wall. v

On the obverse'face olj each table top: section is one half of a game board or'field-3 7, Fig. ljso that when the table top sections are open a complete game board is provided as shown in Figs. 3 and'S. Another game board or field, such as that used for playing backgammon,;-is provided on the reverse face of the table top and is divided into two parts 38 and 39,'one part in each of the table top sections 16 and;1 7. The playing field parts 38, 39 should be of less widthj than the width of the respective table top sections wherefore thereisprovided-a partition 40 in each table top, section adjacent an outer sidewall so that the playing field part is bounded by said partition,

the inner side wall of the respective section-and portions of the end walls of said section ,asshown in Fig. -6. If the partitions 40 were rigidly: or permanently mounted the storage spaces in the table top sections would'be consider ably restricted and therefore; said partitions-are arranged the respective panels.

these trunnions are journalled in openings in the endwalls of the respective table top scctionsi Specifica1ly, the,,

trunnion at one end of each in one end wall of a table top section and the trunnion at the other end of each partition'is slipped into a slot 42 in the inner surface of the opposite end wall of the same table top section and moved laterally into a notch 43'at the bottom of and communicating with said slot. Each slot 42 is perpendicular to the panel of its respective table top section and the notch 43 is parallel to said panel. The trunnions which are inserted inthe-notchffl are locked or held in p'lace,ito'thereby swinginglymount}the partitions, by means of portions of relatively small boxes or receptacle's't'o be next described.

A box orr'eceptacle'fo'r packs of'cards andgainepieces V or apparatus is provided in each table top section and each box includes'an end Wall 4'4'inpar'allel spaced relation to an inner side wall 20 of a tabletop section which side wall functions as the other end wall of the bore-Fig. 2. An edge of the box end wall 4j4-is inserted in -theslot 42 and coaets with the partitiontrlrnnionjnj the notch, 9, to hold thellatter in place and thus swingingly mount the'partition inposition, Inaddition each game piece holding box includes a front wall 4 5,;

i Fig. 8, and, a lid-46 which is journalled for swinging movements by'rneans of trunnions' at the ends of said lid similanto the mounting of thepartitions-40. The lid is recessed-into the edge of the-front wall 45 when said lidis closed and is temporarily held-in-the closed position. i by a suitable latch means, such as a hook -47 and'a co-.

operating eye 48. In the case of the box lid its trunnions may bothbe inserted' in holes during the assembly of the box structure: afterwhichthe box; end and front walls'are secured to elements of the associated tabletop section;

Itmight be well tostate at this time that the free longitudinal edgesof the partitions have a series of, holes 49 for thereception of a countingpeg SQ for keepingscor of the games as played.

Each partition 404s temporarily retained in an upright dicated by dotted lines in Fig. 8 the interiors-of both table other tableware, :food and the like and the chairs, after.

top-sections are substantially clearbetween the respective side walls thereiof providing plenty of space for the storage of? the, folding chairs 52, Fig; 2; vacuum bottles, dishes: or

remeval-, rnay beset-Yup for use as 1 suggested in; Big. 3.

Thelegs '26 a'lsomay be: stored by arranging them in pairsand placingone on top of another, Figs; 2.,and- 4,

against the insides of'the outer'side-walls .ofthefrespective table top sections where they are. temporarily held-by I pivoted catches 53'attached to said outer sidewalls.

In operation, when it is desired to use theapparatus as a game table'the tabletop-sections ar'e'fullyopened and fastened inposition by the: slide bolts 28. Next, it is determined which-game field or board is to be employed.

' If the game field consisting of the two halves 37 is to be used the legs 26 are inserted inthe ends of the sockets 22 at-the: reverse side; of open tablesothat when the completetable is set up-the obverse face-Will beexposed for 7 use. as in Fig. 5. 0n the other hand if it is desired to play a game on the game field or board representedby .the

game board parts 38 and 39 then the open table. top is" inverted and the backgammon game field will be exposed for use as inFig. 6. the latter case the legs 26 are in serted in thee'nds of the sockets 22 terminating on the suggested'inFig. 3. "Preferably, the chairsare of theifoldingtype'shown in; Figs. land-'3 at 52-and ofa:size-.:that,: when folded, will permit them to be stored within; the.

partition is inserted in a hole table top sections, for example, two chairs in each of the sections after the respective partitions 40 have been swung out of the way or collapsed as shown in Fig. 2. It is to be understood that the legs 26 previously have been detached and assembled within the table top sections as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. Also game pieces or paraphernalia are placed in the boxes and the lids 46 closed and latched. In addition other articles can be stored in any empty spaces in the table top sections and after the bolts 28 have been retracted said sections may be closed and latched as in Fig. 1 to form a carrying case which may readily be transported by hand with everything packed together in a unitary parcel.

Of course I do not wish to be limited to the exact details of construction herein shown and described as these may be varied within the scope of the appended claims Without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having described the invention what I claim as new and useful is:

l. A table structure of the kind described comprising a pair of complemental hinged recessed sections which when closed form a carrying case and when opened form a table top having an obverse flat side and a reverse recessed side, a plurality of open-ended sockets each fixed in one of said sections with one socket end substantially flush with the flat side of its respective section and its other end located within the recess of its respective section, a plurality of separate and individual legs each selectively insertable into a desired end of a respective socket to support the associated table top with either its obverse or reverse side uppermost, said legs being of a size for reception in the carrying case defined by said sections in their closed condition, and means to temporarily fasten said legs in place in said sockets.

2. The structure according to claim 1 wherein each table top section includes a panel, side and end walls and the sockets are tubular members projected through holes in the panel of each section whereby both ends of all sockets are accessible when the table top sections are open.

3. A combination folding table and carrying case comprising a pair of complementary hollow sections hingedly connected together for swinging movement between a closed condition defining a carrying case and an open condition defining a table top having a substantially flat obverse side and a recessed reverse side, a plurality of open-ended tubular sockets fixedly secured in each of said sections remote from their hinged connection, each of said sockets having one end substantially flush with the obverse side of said table top and its other end located within the recess of its respective section to open on both sides of said table top without obstructing swinging movement of said sections, a plurality of separate and individual legs each selectively insertable into a desired end of a respective socket to support the associated table top with either its obverse or reverse side uppermost, said legs being of a size for reception in the carrying case defined by said sections in closed condition, and means to temporarily fasten said legs in place.

4. A combination folding table and carrying case according to claim 3, in combination with a partition extending across each of said tubular sockets intermediate the ends thereof, said partitions serving as stops for abutting engagement with leg ends inserted into either side of said sockets and to insure complete closure of the carrying case defined by said sections in closed condition.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 462,933 Sanderson Nov. 10, 1891 803,351 Mason Oct. 31, 1905 830,532 Rozee Sept. 11, 1906 883,499 Smith Mar. 31, 1908 908,487 Nail J an. 5, 1909 1,060,295 Stiles Apr. 29, 1913 1,147,255 Loranger June 20, 1915 1,748,413 Flocchini Feb. 25, 1930 2,156,489 Bonetti May 2, 1939 2,265,708 Westbrook et al Dec. 9, 1941 2,476,535 Denson July 19, 1949 2,490,649 Polis Dec. 6, 1949 2,652,300 Graber et al. Sept. 15, 1953 2,671,000 Rosen Mar. 2, 1954 2,715,558 Bell Aug. 16, 1955 2,723,122 Jaysane Nov. 8, 1955 2,759,576 Townsend Aug. 21, 1956 

